Kathryn Bigelow has undoubtedly been one of Hollywood's most significant female filmmakers, well known in popular terms for films such as "Point Break" and "Blue Steel", yet she remains relatively unexplored in academia. Soundbites about women and guns and speculation about the role of ex-husband James Cameron ("Aliens", "Titanic") in her career have often helped obscure rather than elucidate an understanding of her work and reputation.